From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and founder of Pastor Reuben Initiative for Good Leadership and Accountability, PRIFGLA, Pastor Reuben Wilson has blamed the national leadership of the APC of the problems plaguing the Bayelsa State chapter of the party.
Speaking in Yenagoa during a solidarity walk and rally organised by PRIFGLA and The Asiwaju Group, TAG to honour President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Pastor Wilson said the party’s issues in the state stem from decisions and actions taken by the national leadership, citing instances where the party won governorship elections in 2019 and 2023 but we’re denied victories despite the party’s strong support in the state.
He urged the national chairman of APC to address the party’s internal issues in Bayelsa State, warning that the party’s problems in the state are being exacerbated by certain individuals.
Pastor Reuben said:” Chairman I want you to take this message to the national chairman that the Bayelsa APC, we have suffered a lot and if indeed the party at the centre is supreme over every member in any other state and has been settling issues in other state then why is Bayelsa State APC problem different.
” Tell the national Chairman that they should give warning to those dividing the party in this state. It is a message, I don’t care whatever anybody may say the party at the centre is the cause of APC Bayelsa problem if they say they are not the cause then they should do the needful
” We have won election twice and we were denied I know what I am saying in David Lyon,’s election I was coordinator in Southern Ijaw LGA, in Sylva’s election too I was Southern Ijaw LGA Coordinator I know what we did we won.but we were denied today we have become second class citizens in Bayelsa State.
” It will be very wrong for the party at the centre to be looking at Bayelsa State as if we are not part of APC looking at only one man alone and allowing people to destroy the party.”
Pastor Wilson acknowledged the unity and commitment of Bayelsa APC members, noting their willingness to support the party despite not being in government and praised the party’s chairman and other leaders for their efforts in mobilizing support.
The APC stalwart expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his appointments and contributions to the region, particularly Bayelsa State.
He cited the President’s appointments of sons and daughters from the region to significant positions, including ministerial, CEO MD NDDC, Nigeria head of service board Chairmen and many more .
In their separate remarks, the Managing Director of Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority, NDRBDA, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare and a Director in FIRMA, Mr. Preye Oseke lauded President Tinubu for his pragmatic and visionary policies which enabled states to embarked on gigantic projects and called on the people to support the President come 2027.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Director General of Pastor Reuben Initiative for Good Leadership and Accountability, PRIFGLA, Mr. Eseimokumo Soko said the solidarity walk and rally was organised to acknowledge and celebrate the tangible achievements and reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in our Niger Delta region.
Soko noted that midway into President Tinubu’s first tenure the government has delivered projects and policies that touch lives, citing the release of funds for phase two of Nembe -Brass road and other projects.
